Words are only words and it is tedious to insist they must retain some semblance of their real meaning. That, at any rate, was one conclusion to be drawn from Nicola Sturgeon’s intemperate response to questions about whether “offering” everyone over the age of 40 a Covid-19 jab was the same as “giving” them one. “I kind of communicate at a level where I assume a certain level of intelligence on the part of people listening to me because I think that’s justified,” the first minister said. “And I assume a certain ability to attach context and common sense to what I am saying.” This is big of her even if, frankly, it also seems risky and not just because this kind of talk invites

Source: The Times July 31, 2021 22:52 UTC